The Erith Park Story

Welcome to our interactive map of Erith Park.

Explore the new development by Orbit and Wates Living Space using the blue and yellow pins.

Click on the pink pins to hear from our customers and check out Erith Park’s highlights, or use the blue pins to dig deeper and find out more about how Orbit and Wates Living Space have worked in partnership to regenerate the former housing estate at Larner Road into this award-winning new development of 600 new homes.

Please view the Erith Park Story on computer/laptop or tablet.

2011 - The regeneration of Larner Road was confirmed following the announcement of £15m funding from the HCA. Orbit South had been working with local residents for over two years beforehand to shape plans for the future of the neighbourhood, who welcomed the news.

2012 - In April 2012 Wates Living Space and Orbit had jointly appointed their key consultant partners. Representatives of all the partners were invited, along with residents, to celebrate by abseiling off one of the 15 storey tower blocks. We felt this illustrated our joint determination and commitment – and the trust which we needed to progress the project!

2013 - Our new community rooms and nursery will be completed in Phase 2. Recognising the particular importance of a community focus during the regeneration, we provided two temporary community facilities, the first of which was opened in March 2013. Both facilities have been a significant improvement on the converted basement that previously existed on the old Larner Road estate.

2013 - To mark the start of demolition at Larner Road in April, acrobatic dancers from Dar-es-Salaam and African drummers provided energetic entertainment as people gathered to watch the first 'nibble' from one of the tower blocks. Resident Rita Hanfrey read from the Ballad of Larner Road as we toasted the end of an era.

2013 - In October, Orbit and national developer, Wates Living Space ‘cemented’ the partnership for the Erith Park development with an official contract signing.

2014 - In March, the Erith Park regeneration hit a significant milestone, with construction of the first phase reaching the uppermost point. Wates Living Space and Orbit hosted a ‘topping out’ ceremony to mark the occasion, as is tradition in the building industry to bring good luck to the new development.

2014 - In May, we revealed the new hoarding for the construction site – designed to represent the neighbourhood, past, present and future. Local residents who helped to create the artwork with a local artist were on hand to celebrate the official unveiling.

2014 - At our Midsummer Magic event in June, visitors encountered strange magical creatures down in the Dell. This was the first event at Erith Park’s new, tranquil eco oasis.

2014 - Thirty-three families had their Christmas wishes come true in December, after moving into their new homes at Erith Park just in time for the festive season.

2015 - In January, the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, visited families at Erith Park. Whilst there, he announced his intention to release millions of pounds in funding for two new schemes to help Londoners into affordable home ownership and to accelerate the delivery of new homes.

2015 - Residents took part in a ribbon cutting event in February to mark the official opening of the first new homes. This coincided with the Chinese New Year, so we threw a themed street party with entertainment in the form of a dancing Chinese lion and a costume competition.

2015 - In September, we held a traditional street party to mark the completion of phase 1. Complete with bunting, it was a real celebration of local history. We invited relatives of the notable local people who’d had streets and blocks named after them, unveiled our board explaining the geology of the area, and were entertained by Neanderthal and Victorian 'visitors'.

2015 - In October, we were joined by the Minister of State for Culture and the Digital Economy. Making the visit to see how residents are using technology to engage with the community, Ed Vaizey MP took part in the ‘Walk the Talk’ tour listening to stories recorded into interactive suitcases at six locations on the development.

Opportunity

To help combat the high levels of unemployment across Erith, we were determined to maximise on the opportunities available through the regeneration project. By committing to offering work experience and apprenticeships, we were able to help local people upgrade or learn new skills, and support them into paid work.

Excellence

With only two years from the start of demolition to completion of the first 169 units, Wates Living Space’s construction team faced a huge challenge. Nonetheless, the team’s relentless focus meant we met and surpassed the target, with 216 homes complete by the March 2014 deadline. Phase 1 was completed in entirety by November 2015, saving almost a year off our construction programme.

Partnership

The over-riding success of the regeneration of Erith Park is due to the strong partnerships across the range of partners involved in the project – from front-line teams to directors making strategic decisions. We would not have achieved the transformation for our residents without close working between Orbit and Wates Living Space, local partners and our consultancy team.

Celebration

It’s important to mark and celebrate our progress and key milestones throughout the development of Erith Park. We’ve done this through celebration events with our residents, neighbours and key local partners, including abseiling from the old Larner Road tower blocks, acrobatic dancers at the start of demolition, and a Midsummer Magic event for the completion of our ecological park.

Aspiration

The vision for Erith Park is to create a desirable residential neighbourhood, where residents of all tenures are proud to live. We believe that a community benefits from having a mix of people from different backgrounds and perspectives, and Erith Park sets a new precedent for the area. Encouraging community cohesion and social diversity, Erith Park provides homes for affordable rent, shared ownership, Aspire to Buy (affordable rent progressing to purchase within five years) and outright sale.

Design

The vision for Erith Park is to create a desirable residential neighbourhood, where residents of all tenures are proud to live. We believe that a community benefits from having a mix of people from different backgrounds and perspectives, and Erith Park sets a new precedent for the area. Encouraging community cohesion and social diversity, Erith Park provides homes for affordable rent, shared ownership, Aspire to Buy (affordable rent progressing to purchase within five years) and outright sale.

Marketing

Marketing at Erith Park has always been about more than advertising and selling our new homes. We wanted news of the area’s transformation to reach a wider audience and help to change perceptions across the community.

Environment

All of our new homes at Erith Park are constructed to Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes and have been carefully planned to create minimal impact on the environment, both in construction and in use. We’ve also taken positive measure to retain and improve the quality of the natural environment, both for wildlife and for the enjoyment of local people.

Identity

Erith Park is the first major development in the wider regeneration of Erith. It is important that the new development has a strong positive identity, establishing it as a neighbourhood of quality, and clearly placing it within the town of Erith.

Transformation

The vision for Erith Park is to create a desirable residential neighbourhood, where residents of all tenures are proud to live. Regeneration has set high aspirations for the homes, landscape and public realm to deliver high-quality accommodation, open space and play provision within a well-connected neighbourhood, resulting in high demand for rented and sale properties.

Staying or Going

We often get asked what happened to the residents of the former Larner Road estate. Of the 600 rented households, around 10% stayed on for the new development, meaning we had to help about 540 households find new homes. We’re confident that we offered them the best possible support and advice to move on.

Allotment

Our Story - the film

Erith Park is already home to over 200 households, including several long-standing residents who chose to remain in the area. Some of the residents were involved in helping to create the design and feel of the new development.

Watch this video to find out more about how Erith Park has been shaped by its residents here.

Timeline

The regeneration of Larner Road into Erith Park reaches as far back as 2005.

Geoboard

Part of Erith Park has been designated as a site of geomorphological interest, and we worked with the London Geodiversity Partnership to find out more about our geological history and produced an information board.

Street Names

Ballad of Larner Road

Orbit commissioned nationally acclaimed performance poet, Luke Wright, to produce a poem about Larner Road because of his observations about modern society and culture, along with his witty delivery style.

The ballad project was inspired by the regeneration of Larner Road. Luke spent time at Larner Road, and the residents worked with him to capture their experiences of living at Larner Road and their hopes for the future as the changes unfold. Their stories were woven together to create six fictional characters, who feature in the The Ballard of Larner Road.

Caroline Field, regeneration project manager for Orbit, said; "Although everyone was excited about the changes at Larner Road, it was also a time of huge upheaval for the people who live here. The 1960s tower blocks were built with great optimism and they are part of so many people’s personal stories. We wanted to celebrate and recognise the history of the neighbourhood and its people.

Fact Sheet

Celebration

Orbit and Wates Living Space pursue a policy of continuous improvement. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure this information is correct, it is intended as a guide and the company reserves the right to alter the specification as necessary without prior written notice. This does not constitute or form part of a contract of sale.